Shifty Feet
On some pairs, the break points are so far apart that I feel like I need to change my foot position between the two targets. Is that bad?
First, let’s agree on the correct foot position and stance. For a right-handed shooter, your feet should be oriented on the left-most break point of a pair. The left foot (lead foot) should be pointed at 1 o’clock, or slightly to the right, of the left-most break point. The trail foot, the right foot, should be oriented somewhere between 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock with the heels no more that 12 inches apart. For left-handed shooters, the right foot (lead foot) should be at 11 o’clock, or slightly to the left, of the right-most break point with the trail foot (left foot) oriented between 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock with the heels no more than 12 inches apart. This foot position will significantly reduce your need to alter foot position mid-pair, allow you to turn from the ankles and keep your shoulders level throughout almost any target pair. Without a good foot position, you may feel more compelled to move your feet between targets of a pair when the break points are a bit farther apart.
In FITASC and American Field Sporting, when the target setter is not constrained by the left and right limits of a shooting stand, shifting foot position mid-pair might, in rare circumstances, become necessary. In this instance, it is best to pivot off your lead foot and move only the back foot.
Here’s why. A shooter in a good shooting stance will naturally have more weight on the lead foot. If you move your lead foot and pivot off of your back foot, you will need to first shift your weight to the back foot, then move your front foot, then shift your weight back to the lead foot. If, on the other hand, you pivot your lead foot, leaving your weight forward, while repositioning your back foot, you will avoid the need to shift your weight to the back foot.Pivoting off your front foot is much quicker and more efficient and results in less head and body movement while engaging a target pair.
